Guitar stringing tools

ABSTRACT

A hand tool or pliers for stringing a guitar or other string instruments, using peg and string arrangements or the like, is disclosed. The hand tool includes a pair of handles terminating in a removable jaw fabricated of spring steel wires which extend outwardly and cooperate to form a narrow tip thereby. The hand tool further includes a first padded portion adapted to grasp the strings when stretching them and a second beveled portion adapted to cut the string as needed.

United States Patent 1 Cottone [451 Aug. 26, 1975 GUITAR STRINGING TOOLS [76] Inventor: Joseph J. Cottone, 6 Butternut Ln.,

Levittown, NY. 11756 [22] Filed: Apr. 11, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 350,085

[52] US. Cl. 140/123; 7/5.5; 81/419 [51] Int. Cl B2lf 1/00 [58] Field of Search 140/123, 123.5, 123.6;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 540,452 6/1895 Maloncy 7/5.5

1,064,404 6/1913 Walker 81/419 1,462,202 7/1923 Hopper.... 128/321 1,507,738 9/1924 Johnson 81/5.1 1,589,425 6/1926 Prentice 7/5.5

2,488,484 1 H1949 Vander Clute 81/421 3,044,081 7/1962 Robinson 7/5.5 3,241,814 3/1966 Forte 81/5.l

Rl3,957 8/1915 MacDonald 8l/5.l

Primary Examiner-Lowell A. Larson Attorney, Agent,*0r Firml ,eonard H. King [5 7 ABSTRACT A hand tool or pliers for stringing a guitar or other string instruments, using peg and string arrangements or the like, is disclosed. The hand tool includes a pair of handles terminating in a removable jaw fabricated of spring steel wires which extend outwardly and cooperate to form a narrow tip thereby. The hand tool further includes a first padded portion adapted to grasp the strings when stretching them and a second beveled portion adapted to cut the string as needed.

5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND or THE INVENTION The-present invention relates to hand tools and, in particular, to a pliers ideally suited for restringing musical instruments using peg and string arrangements.

In the tuning of a guitar or other stringed instrument that utilizes a tuning peg, frequently the. string, which is constantly under tension, shears from fatigue. Invariably, the string shears atthe point of maximum stress, which is the point .where the string passes over the tuning peg. When replacing the torn string it is necessary to removethe remaining string that is entwined about the tuning peg. Since the shearingpoint of the string is at the circumference of the tuningpeg, it is difficult to grasp the end to unwind the remainin g string by hand or tools presently available. The present invention overcomes this problem by providing a pliers that has a relatively narrow jaw witha narrow tip, which is adapted to encircle the fine'st ing and operatively remove it. The present invention. also provides means for replacing the jaw means if it becomes fatigued and closes its rigidness and further includes cooperating pads on the nose portion of the pliers for grasping the string during restringing of die instrument and a beveled portion adapted to provide a cutting edge to cut the string when necessary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A hand tool for stringing a guitar or other string instrument or the like, according to the principles of the present invention, includes first and second complementary members. At least a portion of the first member is superimposed over a portion of the second member and is adapted to provide a pivotal movement therebetween in a scissor-like arrangement. One end of each member serves as a handle and the other end of the members are adapted to provide retaining means. Jaw means are adapted to be retained by the retaining means and extend outwardly therefrom. The jaw means are formed of a relatively rigid material which cooperate with each other to provide a relatively narrow tip for encircling a string of a musical instrument.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the various figures of the drawing like reference characters designate like parts.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a hand tool or pliers utilizing the principles of the present invention, in the process of removing a string from a tuning peg;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the pliers of FIG. 1 taken along the line 22;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the pliers of FIG. 1 taken along the line 33;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the jaw portion, including the top, of a preferred embodiment of a pliers built according to the principles of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the pliers shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing and in particular to FIG. 1, in which it will be observed that the present invention is embodied in a hand tool, such as pliers, broadly des- "ignated b y the reference ruse-m1, 10. The hand tool 10 comprises first and I'sec'ond complementary members 12 and 14, respectively. The first member 12 includes a lever or handle arm'16'at one "end and terminates at the other'end in a retaining means 18, which in the preferred embodiment is 'aholding' or retaining screw, which permits'easy replacement of the jaw piece 20. In the preferred embodiment, the jaw piece 20 is fabricated from a spring steel wire which is adapted to be inserted in a hole 22 provided in the end 24 of member 12. Tightening screw 18 retains the jaw 20 within the hole 22 and allows easy replacement thereof when required. The jaw 20 extends outwardly from the end 24 and curves toward the complementary jaw piece 26 which is mounted within a hole 28 provided in the end 30 of the complementary member 1.4and is retained therein by a screw 32. The other end of member 14 includes a handle portion 33, When the complementary members 12 and 14 of the pliers 10 are closed by pivoting about pivot means 36, the jaw pieces cross forming a narrow tip 34 FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 Ifthe complementary members 12 and 14 are fabricated of a metal, an alternate retaining means for the jaw pieces 20 and 26 is swagging them therein.

The pivot means 36 is of a conventional type, and in the preferred embodiment of the invention, comprises a threaded stud portion 38 provided on member 12 which is adapted to cooperate with a threaded nut 40 and a washer 42 placed thereon.

Cooperating members 12 and 14, respectively, are provided with pads 44 and 46, which in the preferred embodiment are fabricated of rubber and are adapted to be affixed in a conventional manner to a first portion 43 of members 12 and 14. These pads are ideally suited for grasping a string 50 of a musical string instrument. Notches permits the string to be wrapped over the tool permitting greater force to be applied to the string. The bottom of the notch preferably is provided with a radius to avoid sharp corners which could damage the string.

Further included in cooperating members 12 and 14 is a second portion 52 that is beveled to provide a cutting edge 54 which functions to cut the string as required.

In operation, the pliers are inserted with the overlapping tips 34 of the jaw pieces 20 and 26 encircling the string of a musical instrument, not shown, which has mounted therein a tuning peg 56. Pulling the pliers 10 away from the peg 56 causes the string 50 to yield coming away from the peg 56, whereby the string may be easily removed thereafter from the peg.

It should be understood that overlapping jaw 20 and 26 may be formed integral with members 12 and 14 but that separate jaw pieces are preferred as they may be replaced in the event of damage.

Hereinbefore has been disclosed a hand tool for stringing a guitar or other string instrument using a peg and string arrangement which is adapted to remove easily the string from a tuning peg. The tool is also provided with a first means for grasping the string and a second means for cutting the string as required.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A hand tool for stringing a guitar or other string instruments using a peg and string arrangement or the like comprising:

. a 3 a. first and second complementary members, at least a portion of said first member being superimposed over a portion .of said secondmember and adapted to provide relative pivotal movement therebetween about a pivot member in a, scissor-like arrangement, one end of each member serving as a handle, the other end of said members including jaw retaining means; and b. jaw means adapted to be retained by said retaining means and extending outwardly therefrom, said jaw means being formed of spring steel wire overlapping in a closed position for encircling a string of a musical instrument. 2. A hand tool according to claim 1 wherein said first and second complementary members further includes pads located between the said jaws and the said pivot member and within a recessed portion of each of said members, said'pads cooperating with each other when said members are closed and adapted to grasp an instrument string without damaging it.

3. A hand tool according to claim 1 wherein said first and second complementary members further include a cooperating beveled portion adapted to provide a cutting means for cutting an instrument string.

4. A hand tool according to claim 1 wherein said retaining means includes a retaining screw adapted to cooperate with a threaded hole provided within said other end of said complementary members for retaining said 5 jaws within said members and permitting easy removal thereof;

5. A pliers for stringing a musical instrument or the like comprising: a pair of handles pivotally connected in a scissor-like arrangement, each handle terminating at its operative end with a retaining means, a jaw affixed to each handle adapted to be removably retained in said handle retaining means, each jaw comprising a relatively rigid spring wire extending outwardly and curved towards each other to form an overlapped relatively narrow tip thereby, for encircling and retaining said musical instrument string therein during the operational use of said pliers, whereby said string may be removed from its entwined location, said handle additionally being provided with pads adapted to be afiixed to a first portion of said handles for gripping said string and a second cooperating beveled portion adapted to provide a cutting means for said string. 

1. A hand tool for stringing a guitar or other string instruments using a peg and string arrangement or the like comprising: a. first and second complementary members, at least a portion of said first member being superimposed over a portion of said second member and adapted to provide relative pivotal movement therebetween about a pivot member in a scissor-like arrangement, one end of each member serving as a handle, the other end of said members including jaw retaining means; and b. jaw means adapted to be retained by said retaining means and extending outwardly tHerefrom, said jaw means being formed of spring steel wire overlapping in a closed position for encircling a string of a musical instrument.
 2. A hand tool according to claim 1 wherein said first and second complementary members further includes pads located between the said jaws and the said pivot member and within a recessed portion of each of said members, said pads cooperating with each other when said members are closed and adapted to grasp an instrument string without damaging it.
 3. A hand tool according to claim 1 wherein said first and second complementary members further include a cooperating beveled portion adapted to provide a cutting means for cutting an instrument string.
 4. A hand tool according to claim 1 wherein said retaining means includes a retaining screw adapted to cooperate with a threaded hole provided within said other end of said complementary members for retaining said jaws within said members and permitting easy removal thereof.
 5. A pliers for stringing a musical instrument or the like comprising: a pair of handles pivotally connected in a scissorlike arrangement, each handle terminating at its operative end with a retaining means, a jaw affixed to each handle adapted to be removably retained in said handle retaining means, each jaw comprising a relatively rigid spring wire extending outwardly and curved towards each other to form an overlapped relatively narrow tip thereby, for encircling and retaining said musical instrument string therein during the operational use of said pliers, whereby said string may be removed from its entwined location, said handle additionally being provided with pads adapted to be affixed to a first portion of said handles for gripping said string and a second cooperating beveled portion adapted to provide a cutting means for said string. 